Category: Articles

Man charged in rape of 15-year-old girl

Man charged in rape of 15-year-old girl

From the Las Vegas Optic An 18-year-old Las Vegas man has been charged with raping a 15-year-old girl at his west side home. Ivan Trujillo, 18, was arrested Feb. 12 and was booked into the San Miguel County Detention Center, charged with second-degree criminal sexual penetration. The girl told police she was running on a…

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Police release shooter’s name, possible motive in January slaying

Police release shooter’s name, possible motive in January slaying

From the Las Vegas Optic Las Vegas police have named the man who shot and killed 27-year-old Leroy Salazar, and the department has offered a possible motive, but to date, charges have not been filed and the investigation continues. LVPD received a call of shots fired the evening of Jan. 18 and responded to Salazar’s…

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Man accused of shooting at police held without bond; two others charged

Man accused of shooting at police held without bond; two others charged

From the Las Vegas Optic A Springer man accused of shooting at a New Mexico State Police officer in Las Vegas last month will be held without bond until trial. Two women have also been arrested and charged as accomplices, according to court records. Shaun A. Kemp, 22, was arrested in Raton on Jan. 30…

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‘Too much violence’: A challenge to do good things in the wake of a tragic loss

‘Too much violence’: A challenge to do good things in the wake of a tragic loss

From the Las Vegas Optic The snowy evening of Jan. 18 ended in violence when 27-year-old Leroy Phillip Salazar was shot outside his home near Seventh Street and Mountain View Drive. By morning, Salazar was dead and a second man had been transported to a hospital in Albuquerque to be treated for injuries related to…

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Lawsuit: County owes Alta Vista $2.6M for inmate health care

Lawsuit: County owes Alta Vista $2.6M for inmate health care

From the Las Vegas Optic Alta Vista Regional Hospital is seeking payment of more than $2.6 million from San Miguel County for health care services provided to incarcerated inmates at the San Miguel County Detention Center. The county denies it owes that amount, and asserts it shouldn’t be billed for inmates’ health care at all,…

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Treatment ordered for robbery suspect, new charges for accomplice

Treatment ordered for robbery suspect, new charges for accomplice

From the Las Vegas Optic A man charged with committing violent robberies is receiving court-ordered treatment for addiction while his girlfriend, who is also charged in a number of robberies, has been arrested again. Brian J. Sandoval, 19, and Adamina R. Esquibel, 20, who were both arrested in October, have since been released from jail…

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Ties That Bind: Federal agents link SNM to Vegas drug trafficking operation

Ties That Bind: Federal agents link SNM to Vegas drug trafficking operation

From the Las Vegas Optic Editor’s note: The following is part four of a series exploring the role street gangs, prison gangs and organized crime play in violence, drug trafficking and addiction within Las Vegas and its surrounding communities. The summer of 2019 was a violent one in Las Vegas. By early August, four people…

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In-person learning allowed to resume Feb. 8; local districts unsure of plans

In-person learning allowed to resume Feb. 8; local districts unsure of plans

From the Las Vegas Optic By Phil Scherer and Ryan Lowery Local school districts remain unsure whether they will return to the classroom in early February, following Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s announcement Tuesday that districts would have the option to return to the classroom during her annual State of the State address. Most schools have…

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Former WLV security guard charged in rape of student

Former WLV security guard charged in rape of student

From the Las Vegas Optic Content Warning: This story contains descriptions of sexual abuse that may be triggering and upsetting for some readers. Discretion is advised.  A former West Las Vegas Middle School security guard has been arrested and charged with 15 felony counts following a lengthy investigation by the New Mexico Office of the…

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